- Share:
Before you get started on your application, there’s a few things to first consider. Find out if you need development consent from your council, understand why a Development Application is required and learn more about the planning system.
There are three assessment pathways that may apply to small residential development: exempt development; complying development; and development that requires consent from a consent authority (typically a council).
A development consent permits a new building that will change our environment, and may affect our amenity or the amenity of those around us.
Read more about development consents
The planning system has a hierarchical structure with the EP&A Act sitting at the top of the hierarchy.
The DA and construction approval process has six stages and there are a number of participants who have involvement across those stages. The stages, participants, roles and responsibilities are summarised in Figure 1 below:
Participants |
Responsibilities |
You |
Get dreaming |
Get informed |
|
Get online |
|
Get team together |
|
Chat to neighbours in advance |
|
Your Team |
Prepare reports/plans |
Compile application |
|
Neighbours |
Raise issues, concerns and support |
Council officers |
Provide accurate advice and identify reports required |
Participants |
Responsibilities |
You |
All information/fees provided |
Your Team |
Lodge ‘assessment-ready’ DA |
Council administration staff |
Completeness check |
Register |
|
Referrals – to internal experts and State agencies |
|
Formal notification to neighbours and community |
Participants |
Responsibilities |
Council Assessment Officer |
Set call-back date |
Assess |
|
Review submissions/referrals |
|
Request additional information |
|
Council specialist officers |
Timely advice, consistent with pre-lodgement advice |
Your Team |
Let council assess |
Provide additional information |
|
You |
Remain patient |
Neighbours |
Make informed comments |
Community |
Make informed comments |
Other agencies |
Timely comment/agreement |
Participants |
Responsibilities |
Council delegate, Councillors or Local Planning Panel |
Timely decision |
Achievable conditions |
|
Council Assessment Officer |
Advise you of decision |
You |
Read conditions |
Seek Construction Certificate (CC) |
Participants |
Responsibilities |
You |
Get CC |
Get Owner/Builder Permit if required |
|
Get Home Owners Warranty |
|
Appoint Principal Certifying Authority (PCA) |
|
Remain informed |
|
Certifiers (council or private) |
Issue CC |
Make inspections |
|
Builder and sub-contractors |
Build as per plans |
Arrange inspections |
Participants |
Responsibilities |
PCA |
Issue Occupation Certificate (OC) |
Council |
Take action if problems arise |
You |
Celebrate |
Page last updated: 13/10/2020